be useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be useful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the desire or intention for something or someone to provide value or assistance. Example: "I hope this tool will be useful in streamlining our workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That will be useful.

The New York Times

That could be useful.

The Economist

That can be useful.

The Economist

This can be useful.

The New York Times - Magazine

It wouldn't be useful.

The New York Times

Can failure be useful?

The New York Times

Art history can be useful.

Independent

He would still be useful.

The New York Times - Sports

Could it also be useful?

The Economist

It would also be useful.

The Economist

It would be useful, though.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure the context clarifies what or whom something should "be useful" to. Instead of saying, 'This tool will be useful', specify 'This tool will be useful to project managers for task tracking'.

Common error

Avoid using "be useful" without specifying how or why something is useful. Saying 'This technology will be useful' is less impactful than 'This technology will be useful for improving data analysis accuracy'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be useful" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe the state or potential of something offering practical benefit or assistance. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be useful" is a versatile verb phrase indicating something possesses practical value or offers assistance. Ludwig AI shows that it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and wiki sources. While generally neutral, consider the audience and context when selecting alternatives for enhanced clarity or formality. Remember to be specific about how and why something "be useful" to avoid vagueness. By following these guidelines, you can effectively leverage this common phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be helpful

Directly conveys the idea of providing aid or support.

be beneficial

Stresses the positive impact or favorable results.

serve a purpose

Focuses on the intended function or reason for existence.

be of assistance

Emphasizes the act of helping or aiding someone.

be advantageous

Highlights the benefits or positive outcomes that result.

have value

Indicates that something is worthwhile or important.

prove valuable

Suggests that something has demonstrated its worth.

contribute positively

Focuses on the act of adding something good or favorable.

make a contribution

Emphasizes the action of providing or supplying something.

be instrumental

Highlights the crucial role or importance of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be useful" in a sentence?

You can replace "be useful" with alternatives like "be helpful", "be beneficial", or "serve a purpose", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean for something to "be useful"?

For something to "be useful" means it provides a practical benefit or helps achieve a desired outcome. It implies that the thing in question has value and can be applied effectively in a particular situation.

How to use "be useful" in a sentence?

You can use "be useful" to describe the potential or actual benefit of an object, idea, or action. For example: "This information might "be useful" later" or "The new software will "be useful" for streamlining our workflow".

Is "be useful" formal or informal?

"Be useful" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, depending on the specific situation, you might choose a more formal alternative like "be advantageous" or a more informal one like "come in handy".